Page 37 of Mafia’s Dirty Secret

“Until now,” she repeated. She hadn’t been totally for sure until he’d said that. She didn’t want to be sentimental, or sappy, and assume that just because he was fascinated with her that he wanted anything lasting. She still didn’t know how long he’d be in Louisiana, so maybe she was just a distraction for him while he was there, she’d thought. She wanted there to be a relationship, but she wouldn’t push for one.

Her mother had taught her enough about men, by example, and through her words, to know that marriage was a sham and that men always strayed. They’d take what they could get, and then they’d fuck off to the next woman they use. But not Matteo. He was different. Everything in her told her that she could trust him, believe him, maybe even… love him.

“You’re not married, are you?” she blurted it out without even realizing she was going to ask it.

“What? What brought that on?” He burst out laughing and then looked over at her. She was serious and her frown showed it. “No, I’m not married. You can search online if you want to. You’ll find out I’ve never been married.”

“Oh. Okay.” She paused. Then spoke again, relieved. “Good. I probably should have asked that a long time ago.”

“Probably,” he agreed with a soft laugh. His fingers came out, brushed against her face, and glanced across her lips with a tender caress. “You amaze me all the time, do you know that?”

“Nooooo!” she disagreed immediately. “I’m not special, Matteo, I promise.”

“Oh, but you are, lady. Very special.” He shifted into a lower gear and slowed the car. They were coming up to his driveway. “You’ve dug a place into my heart that I didn’t even know existed. And you're brave as fuck.”

“I’m not brave, just sensible,” she continued to disagree with him but was astounded that he’d said that other part. About how she’d dug a place into his heart. That was big. Very big.

“That may be, but you are brave, lady. I know brave, and it’s you, all over.” He let his accent deepen, gave her a wink, then turned down the path to his house. “You’re pretty damn sexy too.”

“I’m glad you think so.” Right back to awkward now, she thought. Why couldn’t she just take a compliment?

“What do you want to watch tonight? Or do you want to float some more? I actually liked that, I have to say. It was relaxing, and I need that lately.”

“Got a lot on your plate?” she asked, just to keep him talking.

“Yeah, we’re moving some of our New York operations down here, and, well, it’s a whole different world down here, isn’t it? Different laws, different ways of doing things. But I’m figuring it out. Nothing to panic over, but it’s taking some time to get where I want to be.”

“I’m sure you’ll manage it. You’re a smart man.” She gave him a compliment for a change.

“I’m glad you think so.” He gave her own response back to her, with an added wink, and pulled the car to a stop. “So, missy, what do you want to do tonight?”

He leaned closer to her and traced his fingers down her jawline. She grinned up at him, ready for whatever he planned to do. She leaned into him and kissed his jaw. “I’d like to get you naked, and learn every single part of your body.”

“Oh, now that sounds nice,” he said, but then, they heard an odd noise. When Marie felt her bag begin to vibrate, she knew exactly what it was. She’d set her phone up to ring a certain song when he called. This was just the generic ringtone, and only one other person would be calling her right now.

Regina. Marie scrambled for the phone while Matteo leaned back, concern etched across his face. He knew too.

She did say he was smart.

She fumbled with the phone and then accepted the call with the speaker on. “Hello?”

“Marie, honey, I am so sorry, but, oh, I hate to do this.” She paused, and in the silence, Marie could hear the faint sound of her mother’s rage-filled screams. “She’s bad. Really bad.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” She took a deep breath, looked at Matteo with regret, and then spoke again. “If she gets too bad before I get there, call an ambulance.”

“I will, honey. Again, I’m really sorry. I know this was a big night for you.”

“I’m sure she does too.” Marie knew it was bitter, but she couldn’t help it. Her mother was conniving, and if she’d sensed that something was up with Marie, then she’d do whatever it took to ruin it. That wasn’t malicious or even petty thinking, it was how Ruby had always been. Her illness hadn’t changed her a bit.

“See you in a bit.” Regina hung up and Marie sighed. For a second, she leaned back into the comfort of the seat she was in and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

“She’s ill, of course you should go,” he said immediately, sympathetic.

“No, she’s not ill, she’s pissed. She could sense something was going on, and she has to ruin it. She’s throwing a tantrum right now. Fuck, why does she do this?” Marie almost screamed she was so upset. Angry even. She didn’t want to be angry, but she couldn’t help it. Finally, she let out a sound of anguish but sat up. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have put that burden on you.”

“No, I want to help you, Marie, in any way I can. If that’s just to vent your frustration, then so be it. You know that’s alright don’t you, even as a caretaker? You’re going to be frustrated, maybe even angry sometimes. It’s normal, and you shouldn’t feel bad about it.”

“Thanks, Matteo.” She leaned over, kissed his cheek, and pulled back. “I have to get home before she kills Regina. The longer I don’t come to her the worse she’ll get.”